Historical Society, City At Odds Over Collection

At Issue Are Photos, Newspapers And Records Of Hollywood.

June 20, 2006|By Ihosvani Rodriguez Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD — The city and its historical society each owns a wealth of historical documents and memorabilia, but an ongoing feud between the two is making it difficult to enjoy a stroll down memory lane.

Hollywood officials are angry that members of the Hollywood Historical Society are refusing to allow city staffers to catalog the group's vast collection and list the items on the city's Web site.

Society officials, who have their own Web site, say they believe the city is trying to take over their collection. They also don't want to be associated with a government they claim allows developers to demolish historic buildings to make way for new condo projects.

"They're trying to become our competitor," said the group's president, Brion Blackwelder. "We're talking about a city that sponsors development that greatly impacts historical properties."

At stake is accessibility to thousands of photographs, records, newspapers and other documents separately owned and stored by both groups. While many are similar in nature, both groups use different systems to catalog them.

Commissioner Beam Furr has said he wants the city to seek a grant to hire a full-time archivist to combine both catalogs and present them on the city's Web site.

But other commissioners, including Mayor Mara Giulianti, oppose the idea because of the tumultuous relationship between the two sides. Society members also are opposed.

"Instead of the city being supportive of its historical society, they want to take over our collection and take over our role," said the group's treasurer and volunteer archivist, Joan Mickelson.

City staffers say they only want to obtain a listing of the items. Their goal, they say, is to give researchers and the general public information.

"It's unfortunate that this has become a turf battle," said the city's archivist, Richard Roberts. "The ones who are really being affected are the researchers and everyone else who just wants to take a look at a picture."

While the city and the society have had a history of battling each other, a developer's plan to tear down part of the Great Southern Hotel in downtown Hollywood is at the root of the latest quarrel.

Last year, society board members negotiated an agreement with a developer who plans to build a $100 million, 19-story tower of condos, shops and offices at the site overlooking Young Circle. The hotel, built by city founder Joseph Young, will maintain its original exterior walls, under the agreement.

Board members who approved the deal were later ousted, and the current administration has since filed its opposition to the project in court.

"How in the world do we go ahead and apply for a grant for a group that is suing us?" asked Giulianti during a recent city meeting.

Commissioner Cathy Anderson said she was reconsidering her plans to donate her personal historical collection.

"I have quite a collection covering from 1950 to the 1990s," said Anderson. "But if this is going to be fooled around with, then I don't want to give my collection away."

Furr said the two sides must put their aside their hostilities.

"The preservation of the material is paramount beyond the suit and the pettiness that has come with it," he said.

Ihosvani Rodriguez can be reached at ijrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7908.